Recherche

Wind is providing clean, affordable and safe energy in every Canadian
province - enough to power more than 1.2 million homes

OTTAWA, June 15, 2011 /CNW/ - Today thousands of people in more than 30
countries around the world will hold events to celebrate wind energy
and its environmental, social and economic benefits during the third
annual Global Wind Day. The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA)
and DMI Industries are teaming up to celebrate with a tour of DMI's
Fort Erie manufacturing plant and the Mohawk Point Wind Farm in
southern Ontario.

"We have much to celebrate in Canada as 2011 is expected to be a record
year for wind energy development, with 586 MW already added to the
grid," said Robert Hornung, President, CanWEA. "Canada is blessed with
one of the world's best wind resources. Realizing our potential to have
20 per cent of Canada's electricity demand met by wind energy by 2025
would result in $79 billion of investments, 52, 000 high quality,
full-time jobs and bring $165 million in annual revenues to
municipalities.

Canada's wind energy industry took another step forward in 2010 with the
addition of 690 MW of installed wind energy capacity, positioning
Canada in 9th place globally in terms of new installed capacity and 9th
for overall cumulative installed capacity. Currently 4,588 MW of
electricity is generated by wind in Canada, which is enough to power
more than 1.2 million homes with clean, emissions-free energy. Wind
energy is also re-invigorating the country's manufacturing sector,
creating jobs for skilled workers, and attracting investment to rural
areas.

DMI is celebrating the 5th anniversary of opening its Ontario facility, the longest serving
manufacturer to the wind energy supply chain in Ontario and a pioneer
for the industry. Today, the DMI facility employs 180 individuals in
various manufacturing positions and has an extensive supply chain with
local vendors that provide a number of the components and consumables
used in production.

"This month DMI Industries reached a five year milestone at our Fort
Erie plant," said Stefan Nilsson, President, DMI. "As an early entrant
in the supply chain, DMI has faced challenging years with fluctuating
policy support for wind energy development. While we believe there is
great potential for our industry in terms of job growth and energy
diversity, we realize success depends on long-term favorable policy for
wind energy in both the United States and Canada."

Wind energy has increased almost ten-fold in the last six years in
Canada as governments seek ways to meet rising energy demand, reduce
environmental impacts of electricity generation, and stimulate rural
and industrial economic development. Ontario is the current provincial
leader in installed wind energy capacity accounting for 1,636 MW of
wind energy development. Alberta and Quebec follow at 807 MW and 663MW
respectively and Canada's remaining seven provinces together account
for the remaining one-third.

While the vast majority of Canadians support wind energy for its
environmental and social benefits, their voice is often missing from
the dialogue. Now they can join the conversation and help spread the
word about wind energy by visiting www.friendsofwind.ca.

CanWEA is the voice of the wind energy industry, actively promoting the
responsible and sustainable growth of wind energy throughout Canada on
behalf of its more than 470 members. A national non-profit association,
CanWEA serves as Canada's leading source of credible information about
wind energy and its social, economic and environmental benefits. The
document Wind Vision 2025 - Powering Canada's Future is available at www.canwea.ca.